At a performance on Friday evening, we were presented with two contrasting models of parenting.
In front of us was a mother with her little girl, maybe 5 or 6 years old.
Behind us were two parents, a toddler son and an elementary-school-age daughter, and a mother-in-law.
The little girl in front of us squirmed a little and stood up in the aisle a few times -- to be expected at a 3-hour-long nighttime show not really geared for young kids. She quietly asked intelligent questions about the action in the show, which her mom answered in a low voice. When the girl stood up in her chair, her mother immediately and firmly told her to sit.
Behind us was another story. The girl, probably bored, slouched down and actually started kicking the back of my chair. Her parents either didn't notice or didn't care -- or were just plain worn out. The boy, tired and up way past his bedtime, jabbered loudly and wandered down the aisle.
I think it's great when parents expose their kids to the arts, but they really shouldn't allow them to disturb other members of the audience.
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